A Catholic Homeschooling mom of 5 who would like to be a witness to the world. I am passionate about my Faith, family, and homeschooling. I'm not perfect but I try to be the best person I can be.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Feast Day of Sts. Peter and Paul

Today is the celebration of those great saints and martyrs, St. Peter and St. Paul. Both ended their earthly journeys in Rome. Both were martyred for the Faith there.

St. Peter, of course, had a special commission from our Lord Jesus to be the shepherd of His flock (Jn 21:15-17); Our Lord changed his name from Simon to Rock (Peter) and built His Church upon him; He was given the Keys of the Kingdom (Mt 16:13-19) a privilege afforded only to the king's right hand man; and divine grace allowed him to be the first of the apostles to confess Christ's divinity (Mt 16:13-19). He was martyred under the persecution of Caesar Nero in about 64 AD. Tradition tells us that he was hung upside down by request, as he did not feel worthy to be martyred in the same way as His Lord and Saviour had been. His bones have been discovered very near the spot tradition said his tomb was under St. Peter's basilica in Rome. My son is named for St. Peter and his birthday happens to be tomorrow, the day after St. Peter's Feast day. Happy birthday, Piers!

St. Paul was especially chosen by Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-16). He was chose to spread the Gospel to the gentiles (Gal 1:11-20). He is the considered the greatest missionary of all time, spreading the Gospel to the gentiles in Western Asia and Southeastern Europe. St. Paul was beheaded, also during the persecution of Nero, and is buried under the basilica that bears his name in Rome.

God our Father,
today you give us the joy
of celebrating the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul.
Through them your Church first received the faith.
Keep us true to their teachings.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

St. Walburga's Search

The Divine Mercy

Divine Mercy Chaplet

This meditative prayer may be prayed using an ordinary rosary. It is normally said at 3pm daily, the traditional time of death of Jesus on the cross, but can be prayed anytime.

Begin with:

Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Apostles Creed.

Next, on the 'Our Father' beads, say:

"Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world."

On the 10 'Hail Mary' beads, say:

"For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world."

Repeat the previous 2 steps until you've completed all five 'decades.'

Then say this prayer 3 times:

"Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world."

End with:

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen."

The Blessed Virgin Mary

Our Lady of Grace

The Memorae

Remember, O most compassionate virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your assistance, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, we fly to you, O virgin of virgins, Our Mother; to you we come, before you we kneel sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate despise not out petitions, but in your clemency, hear and answer them.

Amen

St. Walburga

Tapestry image of St. Walburga - Feast Day, February 25th

Prayer to St. Walburga

St. Walburga,

By your blessed life of love, God blessed you with the power to heal, to make whole the soul as well as the body. Beg for us what we cannot obtain for ourselves, and heal our world of sickness and sorrow. May God hear you, who lived so graciously for His glory, and send us the healing grace we need, through your powerful intercession.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.